A Word of Advice?

[rpl2]

Hi

I hope someone might be able to offer some advice please.

My husband was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes earlier this year. He's had the tests, he's had scans, he's had medications tried, stopped etc and now he's just on metformin, but things are still not sorted. He had lost a lot of weight before being diagnosed, but he's lost his appetite and can't put on weight. He has muscle pains, says he feels his skin is on fire, he's always tired and can sleep for England. He's only comfortable lying in bed. He's due to go back to see a specialist next month, but in the meantime life is very difficult.

I wanted to ask here if this sort of thing is common. He has found out many people he knows are diabetic too, but none seems to feel like he does. Could there be something the doctors are missing- or couldd it be that metformin just doesnt suit him?

I dont know what to do to help him- but finding this forum I wondered if those of you more experienced might have some suggestions.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Katharine]

I agree with Sarah. Go back and get some help.

The big deal with type two is that you can feel so normal that you have had it for years before being diagnosed and may already have complications.

Some people actually have insulin dependent diabetes at the outset but are mistaken for the more usual type twos and have continuing problems as if their diabetes was untreated eg thirst, peeing a lot, weight loss, infections, tiredness.

Nowadays a whole coctail of drugs are started when someone has diabetes. Statins are notorious for causing muscle pains and may also affect the liver. One in 20 people is intolerant of statins and needs to stop. This is a possibility. A blood test for creatine kinase and liver function tests will help clarify if this is the problem.

Metformin makes some people feel nauseated, gives wind and diarrhea. The long acting version can help. It doesn't give muscle pain.

 

[rpl2]

Thanks.
Sorry I didnt give many helpful details...

he's been on statins but came off those becasue of muscle pain, and he's also come off Gliclazide because he still had the same symptoms- so they were dropped in case they were causing the problems. He's now under a consultant who has increased his Metformin (500mg) to 2x2 per day. His blood sugars hover around 7 ( HbA1c) although if he forgets to take his tablets it shoots to around 16. He's taking magnesium and Vit D now as well .

He's had all sorts of tests and scans and there's nothing else wrong with kidneys or liver, no neuropathy etc, but the lethargy, muscle pain and burning skin sensation continues. He also hardly eats a thing - says he has no appetite. His BMI is normal. Cholesterol fine.

He found he was diabetic in Feb this year- but has had symtpoms for 3 years- although he eventually ( after nagging!) went to the doctors about 18 months ago and they didnt come up with diabetes at that time.....

I am just trying to find something that will perk him up - i dont think lying around will help him, although I appreciate fighting lethargic feelings and muscle pain is hard. I think we eat pretty healthily- as I am constantly watching my weight ( hahaha) there's lots of fruit and veg, everythings steamed or baked, healthy breakfast cereals, skimmed milk - no biscuits or sweeties or chocolate about, I bake bread at home, no chips, blah blah blah... ( what a sad life...)

so what to do? His GP says to wait to see the consultant again, although I have said he should try to see the consultant sooner- having him so down is a real problem. Any further suggestions would be very welcome!!

 

[Katharine]

Coeliac syndrome and stiff man syndrome are other autoimmune disorders that spring to mind.

It is awful when you've got something but you don't know what it is or how to get better.

 

[rpl2]

Thanks for your further thoughts - honestly I think he's been tested for everything and is fine in other areas - apart from diabetes diagnosis and medication. Thats why I wondered if anyone else had had similar symptons and maybe could help bring enlightenment.

As he's just lying down infront of the TV, having only just got up from lying in bed and then leaving half of his lunch, its driving me mad....

 

[jenrose]

Your husband's symptoms spring to mind with me is fibromyalgia or M.E. and he should see the doctor. The main symptoms are gives you muscle pains, lethargy and tiredness, a 'foggy brain' and IBS symptoms. I used to get attacks of this and found out that a lot of people with fibromyalgia are sensitive to chemicals, as I am and have food intolerances. I get sore eyes, nose and throat problems from glue, paint, chemicals in aerosols, shampoos, showergel, perfume, cigarette smoke, wood smoke, cleaning chemicals. When I visited forums for chemical sensitivity I also noticed that a lot of the people using the forum were also diabetic so I have wondered if there is a connection there. I certainly feel so much more 'myself' now I have sorted out the chemical sensitivity and since being diagnosed diabetic I have brought down my HbA1c from 16.00 mmol/L 2 1/2 years ago to 6.0 mmol/L last June. Here is some info on fibromyalgia.

I hope your husband can discover what is causing his symptoms a.s.a.p so that he can deal with his diabetes properly. I was lucky that I had sorted out my problems before being dx with T2. It took a long time and I am sure the doctors thought I was a hypochondriac. As far as I know a hypochonriac is someone who is not ill but wants to be and I certainly know that I want to be well so, as far as I am concerned, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

http://www.arc.org.uk/arthinfo/patpubs/6013/6013.asp

 

[rpl2]

Thanks all for your suggestions and advice...

Im passing on the messages. At least he has said he'll contact the consultant and try and get his appointment brought forward. Thats a start. :roll: